no rest for the wicked

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English

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Etymology

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From the Book of Isaiah verses 48:22 and 57:20-21, originally Hebrew. First attested in English in 1535, in Coverdale Bible of Miles Coverdale.[1] Quoted in biblical sense for centuries, humorous secular sense popularized from 1930s, particularly due to use as title of popular Little Orphan Annie strip by Harold Gray in 1933.[1] According to rabbinical tradition, the word “wicked” refers only to king Nebuchadnezzar II and his descendants.[2]

Pronunciation

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Proverb

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no rest for the wicked

  1. (literally) Eternal torment in hell awaits sinners.
  2. (humorous) People who are wicked must work harder than normal people.

Usage notes

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  • Primarily used today for mild comic effect,[1] meaning "one must work (particularly because one has been lax)", as in Annie usage.

Translations

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See also

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References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Gary Martin (1997–) “No rest for the wicked”, in The Phrase Finder, retrieved 26 February 2017.
  2. ^ Rashi on Isaiah 48:22:1